Katie Sturino On The Power Of Size Inclusivity

“I don’t necessarily shop for what I like. Sometimes I shop for what is going to fit, especially in person,” she said. Brands that offer extended sizing often limit larger sizes to their e-commerce platforms, she said, and that leads many people to have to rely on online shopping.

But if you find a brand or a size that you like, Sturino’s wardrobe is evidence that it’s best to stick with what you love — and buy a lot of it. She owns some of her staples in multiple colors, and she prioritizes buying staples she can mix and match for both work and play. “Those are the things that you are just gonna keep wearing over and over,” she said. It helps that more brands are expanding their sizing and making those items available in stores, according to Sturino, who praised Abercrombie & Fitch and J.Crew as two brands that’ve expanded their offerings.

Finding a great white tee is often a fashion white whale. Sturino is especially fond of T-shirts by Jenni Kayne, a brand she said has evolved a lot in terms of size inclusivity.

“They’re very expensive, but the fact that they’re extending their sizing at that luxury price point is also a signal that that messaging is getting into some of those spaces where bigger people have never been welcome,” she explained. The Jenni Kayne Vintage Pocket Tee — available from a size XS to a 3X — is her go-to: “I never quite feel right in other T-shirts.”

Wide calves are not often accommodated in fashion, especially when it comes to boots. Her search led her to Stuart Weitzman’s 5050 Boots, a back-stretch style that Sturino praised for being suited to larger calves. “You can fit more of your body into that boot. They’re kind of a classic. It’s not a trend boot,” she said.

And though it would be easier to shop off-the-rack, Sturino said her struggles with finding boots wide enough for her calves prompted her to explore the custom-made route. Fillies and Boots, a direct-to-consumer boot company that manufactures in Italy, is one brand she trusts. The boots range from $420 to $650, depending on style, which Sturino said she’s willing to pay for quality. “They really do that so well, and those are boots I think you could invest in,” she said.

Katie’s uniform also includes suiting, which she said she likes to wear for work as well as for leisure. She often breaks up the pieces into separate outfits, a styling trick that helps her “get away with spending less.”

Her go-to blazer is the Veronica Beard Miller Dickey Jacket. She said she’s worn it in a few colors, including cobalt blue, which she donned for an interview with Oprah. Sturino also praised the brand’s size range: For example, some versions of the Miller Dickey Jacket are available from a size 00 to a size 24.